New Linet network controller software (6.3) includes 'Control group', which is excepted to be very useful for companies developing heat control systems. A 'control group' is used to replace thermostats when controlling temperature (or other magnitude). The task of the group is real-time control; a host system, connected to the Linet controller via serial or Ethernet interface, is used for setting the set values for the group and converting the raw numerical values used within the group into centigrades (or other known values).
 
It is recommended that load controlled by a control group (eg a heater) is driven by a zero voltage turn-on solid state relay.
 
A control group can be written and read over the serial and Ethernet interfaces similarly as a Data12 group. When a value is written to a control group, it is computed as a user given set value. When the group is read, the value returned by the group is a measured value from the AD-converter of the node of the group.
 
A pre-release version of the software is available at www.linet-network.com/html/solutions.html. It can be uploaded onto any 6.1 or 6.2 network controller from Linet with XMODEM protocol.
 
 
Linet Oy, 5th April 2002